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Exciting News: New Leadership at SnaccPop Studios
🕑 Added 2024-06-12 00:08:29 +0000 UTCDear SnaccPop Studios Community,
For those of you who don’t know me yet, hello, my name is Aneko Foxx, or Ane for short. My journey with SnaccPop began as a passionate fan, enthralled by the captivating characters and compelling stories that have always been a hallmark of the studio. This enthusiasm led me to become a beta/focus tester, then a cultural consultant and sensitivity editor, then a writer, and eventually a project manager. Each of these roles has given me a deeper appreciation for the incredible creativity and dedication that defines SnaccPop.
And today, I am thrilled to announce that I have taken on the role of Studio Head of SnaccPop Studios.
Throughout my time here, I have witnessed firsthand the unwavering vision of our studio's founders. Their dream has always been to create characters and narratives that reflect their own experiences and connect with audiences around the world. Their passion is the heart and soul of SnaccPop, and it is this spirit that I am committed to championing as we move forward.
Previous management at SnaccPop had been focused on expanding our brand beyond the original IPs in an effort to generate additional revenue and make sure patrons got as much value from their pledges as possible between major updates to the major IPs. This revenue was intended to be reinvested back into our original IPs to enhance their development. However, as we shift our strategy back to concentrating primarily on our core IPs—AphroDesia, Something's Wrong With Sunny Day Jack, DachaBo, and The Groom of Gallagher Mansion—please be advised that updates may be slower. This is due to our budgeting now being more evenly distributed among these key projects.
I understand that many of you have felt frustration and disappointment in recent times as we navigated through various challenges for the past year. Your sincerity and passion for SnaccPop have not gone unnoticed. As the new Studio Head, I want to assure you that your voices are heard, and your concerns are valid. Our goal is to harness and amplify the magic that made SnaccPop special in the first place. Additionally, we are not looking to dwell on what has been and past events that cannot be changed, but instead foster an optimistic present for a brighter future and work towards that better future. We would like to invite you all to join us in focusing on the ‘what now’, and the ‘what will be’.
Part of the challenges we've faced in the past stemmed from a vertical management structure which caused a lack of transparency and communication within the studio under the previous management. This approach often led to delays in updates, poor interpersonal support, and several projects being stalled and tied up in logistical knots and key progress being lost in the foray. Important information was not always shared effectively, leading to frustration both within our team and among our fanbase.
To address these issues, SnaccPop Studios will now be run with a horizontal management structure and agile project management practices. ‘Horizontal management’ means that our organization operates with fewer levels of rank or seniority, allowing for a more collaborative and inclusive environment. Every team member has a voice in the decision-making process, which fosters innovation and ensures that diverse perspectives are considered. I believe a leadership model of many heads, working in tandem and united through open communication and a shared vision, are the key to bringing SnaccPop and its projects to life in the best way possible.
‘Agile project management’ is a methodology that emphasizes flexibility, iterative progress, and responsiveness to change. By breaking projects into smaller, manageable tasks and continuously assessing and adjusting our approach, we can deliver high-quality work more efficiently and effectively. This method allows us to adapt quickly to new ideas and feedback, ensuring that we stay aligned with our creative goals and meet our deadlines.
I officially stepped into this new role little less than two week ago, and since then, I have been working tirelessly to address and resolve a number of issues our contractors may have encountered. It is my top priority to create a supportive environment where our team can thrive and where the founders' creative visions can flourish without hindrance.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our team during this challenging transition. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in keeping SnaccPop moving forward, and I am incredibly grateful for their resilience and creativity.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting projects in the pipeline that I can't wait to share with you. We are committed to refocusing on the founders' original intellectual properties and focusing on the fun and authenticity that you love. We will also be improving our communication with you, our valued community, through more updates, possible Q&A sessions, and more opportunities for you to share your feedback and ideas.
As part of our commitment to you all, we have already assembled a dedicated team who will work collaboratively to build and optimize the final and definitive build of ‘Sunny Day Jack’, even if released in parts over time. This team will bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the project, ensuring that ‘Sunny Day Jack’ reaches its full potential and delivers an unforgettable narrative experience.
In some good news regarding SDJ development, just in the time since the departure of our Former Programmer, one of our new programmers was able to implement all the dialogue of the new, updated ‘Something’s Wrong with Sunny Day Jack’ demo into Ren’Py! And they state that implementing the sprites and music could only take a couple of weeks. So, we are cautiously optimistic for the final (yes, final) ‘Something’s Wrong with Sunny Day Jack’ demo to be ready for a mid July–late July release.
On a personal note, I want to share a brief story that encapsulates my journey with SnaccPop. As a fan, I remember staying up late into the night discussing theories and character arcs with friends online. It was these conversations and the sense of community that inspired me to contribute more deeply to SnaccPop. This passion drives me every day in my new role, and I am committed to making SnaccPop a place where creativity and community thrive.
Our vision at SnaccPop has always been to create stories that connect people, reflecting diverse experiences and universal themes. Our mission is to inspire and entertain our audience with compelling narratives that resonate on a personal level.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for SnaccPop Studios. I encourage you to stay engaged with us, participate in our upcoming initiatives, and continue sharing your thoughts and ideas. Together, we will embark on this exciting new chapter, honoring our rich legacy while forging a path towards an even brighter future.
Warm regards,
Aneko Foxx
Studio Head
SnaccPop Studios LLC
Comments
Arulo
Question, did you guys share this news with the backers on kickstarter yet? This feels like an incredibly important thing to tell backers especially after reassurances that there would be more transparency with them?
TheVampireRose
To say I am hopeful would be a lie. I'm upset and angry and just overall disappointed. I can't say that much of any of this news inspires confidence but I suppose I can hope that things won't get any worse than they have been. There's a lot of trust that needs to be rebuilt and I will not give this project another chance if this just turns out to be another hash of empty promises.
YonYonYon
You're changing management again? Looks very unstable, guys. At least now you're using RenPy instead of a making your own engine. There really was no need to make your own engine, especially when there's RenPy. That's one sign that new management is better, I guess
Rose
I’m filled with hope regarding the new management because they have addressed a good majority of these problems with a decent sounding proposal for a solution. Additionally, no matter the challenges production may face, I’m in this for the long haul. Since, I’m already invested in these characters and their stories.
Saturn - Stari ☆
I’m sure the team is aware that they won’t gain back the trust of everyone over night, but honestly it is refreshing to hear the concerns that people have are being listened to. I just hope that it’s upwards from here, even if every day isn’t perfect. Honestly, new management may scare some, but it is trial and error, and you can’t fix something unless you change something first. Best of luck to this new management and system forward. I still am hopeful that you all can provide a better experience for your supporters. Looking forward to July and the days in between.
EtherealMaiden
Congratulations and welcome! Wishing/Hoping for all the best and positivity to come!💕
DeadDoozy
Idk i think it does make me feel a bit better. Things clearly werent working before so maybe? Fingers crossed?? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
NoPeaches
No offence, but hearing there is a new management structure, after everything else, does NOT fill me with hope.
seapierrot
I know a lot of fans have been super worried and frustrated, so I’m hoping their concerns are genuinely being taken to account! Furthermore, I’m glad that there’s an acknowledgment of the lack of transparency between the studio and the fans. I’m cautiously eager to see where the team goes from here with new management after such a rocky period, given the recent news regarding the programmer. There’s going to be a great effort needed in building back up trust and goodwill with the fanbase, something I really hope the team is prepared to do.
Rotanddecay73
What wonderful news! It’s so nice to see someone new come in! I hope they receive a warm welcome and I must admit I am very giddy at the mention of focus on the main IPs! May the journey continue and run smoothly to all in Snaccpop Studios!
Waffle Milk
Wooohooo!!!! Considering the massive frustration a vast majority of us vented on Twitter, some of us are still holding on hope
